Tengku Zafrul: Asean’s next integration stage could draw on Malaysia’s NIMP 2030 principles

Malaysian Investment Development Authority chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz suggested that Asean’s next stage of economic integration could be guided by Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 principles. NIMP 2030, launched in 2023, serves as a key industrial pillar under the broader Madani Economy framework, aiming to enhance economic complexity, encourage technology adoption, pursue net zero goals, ensure economic security, and promote inclusivity.

According to Tengku Zafrul, Asean's strategic position between the East and West, with access to major trading routes, abundant resources, a burgeoning digital economy, and a diverse talent pool, makes it a prime candidate for this integration. In his keynote speech at the 2026 China-Asean Business Leaders Summit, Tengku Zafrul emphasized that while foreign direct investment in Asean reached US$226 billion in 2024—almost double the amount recorded in 2015—the crucial question remains: how does this investment benefit the region's people?

He stressed that manufacturing and industrial development remain vital, as their effects ripple through various sectors such as suppliers, logistics, professional services, technology, energy, and skills. Properly executed, investment can leave a lasting legacy of expertise, more robust companies, and a better-skilled workforce.

Tengku Zafrul pointed out that both Asean and China, through their indigenous traditions, view shared prosperity as essential to sound business. In the current global context, he argued, bridging the wealth gap necessitates the same policy resolve that fueled their growth. With varying strengths, developmental stages, and talent pools, regional integration can leverage these unique attributes to complement each other, expanding markets and fostering growth.

Tengku Zafrul concluded by asserting that a more integrated Asean economy would generate additional opportunities for both individuals and businesses to accumulate wealth.